Secrets of the City

My own feeling is that while I wasn’t entirely clear on the points Nelson was making in his piece, Jon Busey-Hunt was being a bit disingenuous when he compared Rob’s comments on Diablo’s body with Peter Jackson. After all, Jackson didn’t come to the public’s attention writing about being a model on a chubby chaser web page, and neither did he have a blog that focused greatly on his body. It doesn’t seem necessary to discuss Cody’s background as a stripper, or the details of her body, in stories about Juno, but neither should they be off limits, because Diablo Cody herself made them part of the discussion.

Your thoughts?

If DC’s story rocks the indie film world, makes a lot of money, and has the critics buzzing, no one will remember what Rob had to say in a free monthly in Minnesota (no offense intended, Rob & Tom). The fact that JBH even gives a rip what a Minnesota critic sez means they (CD & JBH)have not quite gone “Hollywood” yet..

..which is kinda nice, I think. Like once last trip to the Pussy Ranch, before it is torn down for a strip mall (pun intended).

My thoughts?
- I thought the trailer to the movie looked great.
- Diablo Cody is hot but it doesn’t matter.
That’s all.

I wondered about the borderline hateful tenor of the piece when I read it…if I were Jonny I’d be pissed too…but I don’t think I’d resort to taking it out on all of Minnesota, as though he’s somehow above it, like he does. Some folks here appreciate Diablo’s success…they just aren’t getting ink.

and the thought of Peter Jackson’s thigh just killed my appetite.

I thought it was kind of a compliment. Society has such a focus on beauty being only skinny people, I just read it as saying just cause she ain’t a wafer cracker doesn’t mean she ain’t really hot. There’s nothin’ wrong with some thigh, am I right fellas.

I hate it when people use the words I write against me. Knocked Up and Juno look like they are nothing alike. Although, I haven’t seen either, you can’t quote someone’s own words against them.

Hey! Did anybody see that Elizabeth Wurtzel is in law school at Yale?! Wurtzel seems to command the same reaction as Cody. Wurtzel and Hillary.

Hillary 2008, btw.

A friend of mine works at a film production company in LA, and she’s been gushing to me about Diablo Cody for ages (I first heard about Juno from her when she read the script a year or so ago).

She said that usually script reading is the boring and annoying part of her job, but she takes Cody’s scripts home and reads them curled up in bed, because they’re just that good. She read me a few lines over the phone last night and it was amazing. Cody seems to get knocked around a lot for whatever reason, but she’s got the goods as far as I’m concerned.

I agree that Jonny’s whimpery reaction really showed him for the Midwestern corncob-chewer that he really is.

1) It’s about his wife, not HIM. I read that bit of his blog and thought, wow, it’s nice and romantic that you’re so worked up over some BS talk about your wife, but hunny, she can stand up for herself. Is she just as upset by it as he is? I’d like to know.

2) Welcome to the cruel world of film and fame in Hollywood, bitches! Let me know how being a crying little naive emo puppy coattail-riding husband in the corner of the blogosphere approach works for ya. Ha.

3) He really needs to spend more time and energy sharing his HAPPINESS about his ultra successful wife, not on pouting and pitying her because of a botched or shitty interview or two. *sniff* I smell projection of his own insecurity!

*waits for the MF’er himself to come on here and waste more of his energy crying in defense*

I thought it was kind of a compliment. Society has such a focus on beauty being only skinny people, I just read it as saying just cause she ain’t a wafer cracker doesn’t mean she ain’t really hot. There’s nothin’ wrong with some thigh, am I right fellas.

Absolutely not!

but she’s got the goods as far as I’m concerned.

I heard that!

Seems like Steve Perry’s reaction is just his way of taking a shot at the Rake. “Rob Nelson is a wonderful writer and a beautiful human being, but look what they’re making him do!”

And I agree that Juno looks awesome. And that Diablo can probably stand up for herself (if she cares). And that Jonny sounds like a little sissy-baby in that post.

The rake is the crappiest magazine ever. It has absolutely zero cohesiveness, and at its absolute best points only serves as a bland source of local happenings.

That said: I desperately want to bang Diablo Cody, and props to her for her success, but I just don’t see the relevance of including Rob Nelson’s crappy write-up in this MNSpeak posting.

Or maybe its only surreptitious advertising for the magazine that is co-owned by the two clowns that own this website.

Wow, Bx, you really don’t like this woman’s husband, huh? That was a long post about how bad he is. What’s that about?

That wasn’t that long of a post.

I’ve been following the Diablo story on both of their blogs for ages (including his old one). My impressions of him are based solely on that, so if you think there’s anything else behind it, NOPE. He consistently comes off as a whiny, stupid, weak individual in his writing. He may not be in real life – and is probably a nice guy – but based ONLY on his blogging, I wouldn’t say so.

But hey, I’d feel and come off like a loser next to her, too.

But hey, I’d feel and come off like a loser next to her, too.

As a matter of fact, you do.

Er, planning on any more posts on this site, patrick?

Maybe I can teach a few more of the fine points of public/media relations…

As a matter of fact, you do.

Well, congratulate yourself on being a great role model, justpbob!

I’d say this is a rather interesting post for MNSpeak. I loves me a good flame war!

Or maybe its only surreptitious advertising for the magazine that is co-owned by the two clowns that own this website.

Which two clowns are you talking about?

Oh, wait. You have no idea what you’re talking about.

My knee has jerked anti-Cody for a while; I can’t really pretend that I’ve put any thought into it. My Cody feelings developed like this: I was annoyed by the trying-too-hard edginess of the fake name when I first saw it in City Pages. I was more annoyed when I heard about her stripper backstory and saw that she called her blog “Pussy Ranch.” Fairly or unfairly, I was just put off by what I took as a nonstop barrage of “Hey! Look at how EDGY I am! Watch as i BLOW YOUR MIND with my UNBRIDLED SEXUALITY!”

And I guess I still sort of feel that way, although by this point I don’t think she could’ve gotten this far without some actual talent. By now I’m hoping the self-promotion is maybe just a booster rocket for actual ability. I’ll see Juno, and I hope it’s good, because taking the big-picture view it’d be a great thing if screenwriters from the Twin Cities started getting produced in droves (my wife’s a screenwriter).

So I sort of understand why people get so worked about her, but at the same time the sheer number of them surprises me.

Um, Patrick, it’s not “clowns.” It’s “assclowns.” The least you could do is get the terminology right. Jeez.

I prefer the phrase “ass haberdashers” myself.

Oh, and Nelson’s thigh crack was pretty weird. Maybe his mind was blown by her unbridled sexuality.

I was more annoyed when I heard about her stripper backstory and saw that she called her blog “Pussy Ranch.” Fairly or unfairly, I was just put off by what I took as a nonstop barrage of “Hey! Look at how EDGY I am! Watch as i BLOW YOUR MIND with my UNBRIDLED SEXUALITY!”

You mean it’s not a cat blog? That does blow my mind…hee hee

I never hear the name outside of this blog and Rex’s, but you’d think from reading this one that everybody but everybody is in obsessive love or hate when really most people never heard of her and those who have just kinda know she wrote a book and has a movie coming out and it’s mild curiousity/interest without extraordinary passion. Perspective is what we lack.

I prefer the phrase “ass haberdashers” myself.

All kinds of asshatted-haberdashery is liable to break out here at anytime.

Perspective is what we lack.

There’s no fun in perspective.

I was annoyed by the trying-too-hard edginess of the fake name when I first saw it in City Pages. I was more annoyed when I heard about her stripper backstory and saw that she called her blog “Pussy Ranch.” Fairly or unfairly, I was just put off by what I took as a nonstop barrage of “Hey! Look at how EDGY I am! Watch as i BLOW YOUR MIND with my UNBRIDLED SEXUALITY!”

Pilleka, you nailed it. I had the exact same thoughts for a while, but couldn’t tear myself away from her blog, because she was so utterly shameless, like a little kid who farts in public and thinks nothing of it, about her super-contrived, self-conscious clawing at hipness. It was funny to read because it was so embarrassing and pathetic. She even unabashedly rocked the 12-years-outdated synthetic dreadlocks seemingly irony-free, like she actually thought they were still cool.

Then her husband jumped on the blogwagon, well, it was like peeling a scab, it hurts so good!

After Juno hit the big time and they hoofed to to L.A. though, I realized something. Obnoxious as she might have been as a small-fry CP blogger and novelist here in MN, the fact that she got under a lot of people’s skin here is really more of a reflection on Minnesotans than on her.

I think her timing is perfect: she really belongs in Hollywood (not because she’ll change it – look at most crap coming out of H’wood; she fits right in) and she had pretty much worn out her little shock factor game here in MN.
So bon voyage Brooke (I mean, “Diablo”). I think it’s fab she’s makin’ it big, and hope she can still hear us cheering over her husband’s whining.

and those who have just kinda know she wrote a book and has a movie coming out and it’s mild curiousity/interest without extraordinary passion.

That perfectly sums up my feelings on the subject. And I think Juno looks pretty good and I plan to see it.

I’m totally going to see it.

“There’s no fun in perspective.”

That’s what she said!

My Two Pennies.

I think Juno is going to rock. Rob Nelson is a damn good writer. Someone taking offense to a damn good writer? Historically, this is a first.

Johnny can whine all he wants; it’s like the old cleche’ “It’s my blog and I’ll write what I want” and he can, but he had better get thicker skin if he wants to be the sidekick to fame.

Steve’s “Full Disclosure” seems less than full. I think it’s more an attempt to take on the Rake and add some validity to TDM. A mole’s diet is primarily composed of earthworms and other small invertebrates

I love Diablo Cody’s writing. And, while I’ve never met the guy in person, Jonny seems like a good guy, and I would be defensive if someone was trashin’ on m’wife regardless of her “famousness” or what have you.

Pussy Ranch existed long before it was in City Pages, and was better then too, I think. Sure, it was and has been full of “unbridled sexuality” but it was funny unbridled sexuality in a very gonzo sort of way. It was pure entertainment, period. Wasn’t meant to be any more than that.

So, that’s it. I think of Brooke/Diablo as gonzo — to criticize her for being over-the-top is like criticizing Hunter S. Thompson for doing too many drugs and shooting firearms. Doing so misses the entire point.

Several people here aren’t remembering that Rob used to work for Steve. Like, just a few months ago. And, like, for a long time.

That’s all I’m saying.

OH! AND! LOVE THIS THREAD!

Yes, I take responsibility for asking Diablo if she would leave Jonny if she won an Oscar. You can say my muthafuckin’ name now, JBH. I’ve responded in full on Mr. Busey-Hunt’s blog. I am now going home to get right before going to Google Bordello this evening. Have fun with the rest of the thread, you fat Midwestern haters!

Pilleka —> OTM

She turned me off at first, but the praise for this movie seems genuine and deserved. I’m looking forward to it.

Don’t care one way or the other about Mr. Cody.

this thread just got a little better at 3:54 PM.

Marsh, as usual your troublesome instigating amuses to no end.

He consistently comes off as a whiny, stupid, weak individual in his writing.

He sure does. And, in person, he’s pretty fugly, whereas Diablo is much more attractive irl than you’d expect.

I agree with Marsh’s point on Jonny’s blog. Reporters often ask idiotic, rude questions in order to solicit interesting responses. It’s what we do. I get where people can be offended by the question, but it’s the answer that determines whether or not the topic ends up in the final work product. So what that he asked if Diablo was going to leave Jonny because of her success? If he wrote that she was rumored to be leaving Jonny, that would be a different matter.

“There’s no fun in perspective.”

That’s what she said!

I disapprove.

Marsh? That just makes sense.

Love that he commented (multiple times) on Jonny’s blog.

Have fun with the rest of the thread, you fat Midwestern haters!

Screw you, buddy, I love the fat Midwest.

What goes up must go down.

Enjoy the ride, beware the fall.

Either way you can depend on Diablo’s army of masturbating sycophants to applaud every shit she takes. (With Jonny leading the way.)

So she’s got that going for her.

DeRusha promises “full size” treats on Halloween, delivers “fun size.”
An I-Team exlusive.

You really have to read Marsh’s comments on Johnny’s blog

Marsh “Dude, it was just one tasteless joke question among many. I’m not Voldemort.”

If only it were so . . .

Geez, some of you people look way beyond petty, piling onto both Diablo and Jon. What the hell have either of them done to you personally to deserve this kind of scorn and criticism??? Does someone else’s success actually bother you that much? You folks have got some real issues. We should be happy for both of them, but instead we take the low road. It’s as if you’re looking for reasons to hate.

and bx you criticize Cody for her “super-contrived, self-clawing at hipness” … look in the mirror, buddy.

Get over yourselves, people.

This thread is starting to challenge the awesomeness of yesterday’s bisexual orgy thread…

Please don’t let this turn into another YET ANOTHER barf-a-riffic sexual innuendo thread. I think we’ve had enough of that for the week.

Please don’t let this turn into another YET ANOTHER barf-a-riffic sexual innuendo thread.

Yes, please save that for tomorrow’s open thread…

Yes, please save that for tomorrow’s open thread…

Or…ya know…go actually get laid and stop talking about it incessantly on The Internets.

” I think we’ve had enough of that for the week.”

That’s what she said!

Please don’t let this turn into another YET ANOTHER barf-a-riffic sexual innuendo thread. I think we’ve had enough of that for the week.

Buzzkill…haha!

” I think we’ve had enough of that for the week.”

That’s what she said!

Much better.

Just a reminder: Before your spew, check with the person you are about to spew on. They may not be into that sort of thing.

Or…ya know…go actually get laid and stop talking about it incessantly on The Internets.

Does anyone know what the hell she’s talking about here?

and bx you criticize Cody for her “super-contrived, self-clawing at hipness” … look in the mirror, buddy.

I don’t….believe I ever said anything about her clawing at herself. But if that’s the way…..you read it…..then I can’t help you with your learning disability, there, “buddy.”

And I never posted nekkid pics on a blog, or thought that working as a stripper was some ironic experiment worth writing a book about, or used a pseudo-Spanish nickname that sounds more like the title to a forgotten Linda Ronstadt album. So tell me how I’m as desperately trying to be hip like Miss Busey-Hunt was. Posting anonymously on MNSpeak should show you just how UNHIP I am, if anything.

Who will be in the next MNspeak-a-orgy? “Man Pretty” Wayne? “Wide Stance” Kevin? “Bend Over” Bob?

Hurry, Friday!

Whenever I read Diablo Cody it reminds me of Kotex and makes me think of the time I saw a stripper and the string of her tampon was hanging out.

And then I wonder if Diablo ever stripped w/string.

That sort of sums up Ms. Cody/Kotex to me. Some people are into that kind of scene and it makes other feel like puking.

Chocolate/Vanila!

This thread exemplifies everything I’ve always disliked about Minnesotans, or people in general, for that matter: Evil, shallow, vapid, stupid, self-aggrandizing and so fucking booooooooooring.

“He’s fugly!” Wow. Seriously? Thanks for making me feel totally disenchanted and sick. Your comments reveal the depth of your character, and everyone’s on here for that matter.

Hooray for the internet and the rise of the hate-spewing “elite.”

How do you sleep at night? Oh, let me guess. It’s easy for shallow people to sleep with their evilness and cruelty and little ideas and desire for “coolness” because they’re too vacant to give a rip.

I rarely post about Diablo Cody, because the conversations tend to deteriorate in to attacks on the woman herself from her critics and defenders leaping in and crying that Cody’s critics are all jus’ jellus haters who can’t stand to see a local girl succeed. Let’s try and avoid that, if we can. Critics, please try and focus your criticism on Cody’s work, rather than herself, and defenders, please try to remember that it is possible to be critical of someone without it stemming from jealousy.

I will say that I think Jon would do well not to rankle and feel the need to gush defensively at every perceived slight against his wife, if only for his own mental health. His need to defend her publicly is either sweet and chivalrous or neurotic and whiny, depending on your point of view (I find it to be a little bit of both), but there gets to be a point where you let the critics criticize, justly or unjustly, without having strong emotional reactions when you don’t like what they’ve said. It’s just too stressful to do otherwise.

And please, Mr. Moderator. You can attempt to “direct” how a thread should run. But offering someone advice for the “mental health”? Jesus. You’re some dude who spends 22 hours a day on this shit site. Like you’re in any place to tell someone how they should feel about anything, or how they should defend themselves and their family.

Hi Jonny! I knew you couldn’t resist, but you held off for quite an admirable while.

Oh, and one more thing: Jonny is not responding to just ANY critic. He is responding to a critic whom is wife worked with. His whole point about this town being full of assholes is pretty justified.

Thank you for your comments, youpeopelsuck. I can see you’ve put a lot of thought into –

Oh, wait. You’re just spewing bile.

How does recycling the tired “Minnesotans are evil assholes” mantra make you any less boring, dude?

That’s always my favorite defense when ever anyone calls someone to task on a thread: “I can see you put a lot of thought into this.” Or “You are just spewing bile.”

Yep. Great defense for what is obviously some serious character flaws. A better defense would be, oh, I don’t know, some self reflection perhaps?

Well, let’s see. You feel the need to rush in and defend someone who is a public figure, and your defense is an ad hominem and inaccurate attack against me for offering some well-meaning advice to Jon, and to call all Minnesotans assholes.

I think you’re in need of some self-reflection. Oh, and by the way, you’re done on this site. If you post again in this thread, it will be deleted.

R O T F L

Don’t forget your blood pressure medication today, Jonny. Holy shit.

L O L

There’s no reason to assume that lunatic was Jon Busey-Hunt, Bx. My experience with him is that he’s impassioned, but not completely off the deep end.

Actually, my experience with him (which goes back many more years than yours, I’m betting – I used to hang around with him and his first wife) – is that he does sometimes go off the deep end, and “impassioned” doesn’t even scratch the surface of his hate for MN at this point. Read his blog carefully then read the above comments. It’s him, I’m fairly certain.

Perhaps, but let’s just let it go. There’s no reason to turn this discussion into a ridiculous flame war.

Just fyi, that is not Jonny. The dude would use his name. He did on his blog, and hear. So keep him off of this thread, and just take the comments for what they are. Thanks.

“There’s no reason to assume that lunatic was Jon Busey-Hunt, Bx”

Yeah, it might have been Cody herself.

Kidding, kidding. Just saw a fat one over the plate and swung. I got nothing against DC, seriously. I’m not one of the haters. I’m kind of excited about the movie.

Too late, Max. Too late. You knew the risk when you created the post.

But yeah, I agree, let’s not give Messrs. B-H any more of our energy.

Confirmed. If I was going to respond to this thread — which I am not, nor would I ever, thanks — I would use my own name. I don’t hide behind an anonymous handle, nor have I ever.

Jonny: You should change your URL to direct to your new blog home. Or not. Anyway, I admire a guy sticking up for his wife. It’s what we husbands are supposed to do.

I wish Jonny would have come after me with a little more heat here. Then I could have used his success against him to leverage my profile like when Li’l Wayne went after Jay Z and people were all like, “Who’s Li’l Wayne?” And then people would’ve googled me.

Thanks for nothing, dude. “A Certain Minneapolis Writer Who Shall Remain Nameless.” Great. Just great.

You spank it for those chunky thighs.

C’mon, when people flame me for my nonexistent successes, my imaginary husband sticks up for me. That’s how it works.

My imaginary husband sounds a lot like Steve Marsh. Should I be concerned?

You think you’ve got problems. At night, when I sleep, it’s like I hear Steve Marsh whispering sweet nothings in my ear. And then my girlfriend come into the bedroom, screams, and Steve flees through the window.

“Leave Jonny aloooooooooonnnnnnneeeeee!” -or-
“Leave Diablo aloooooooooonnnnnnneeeeee!”
Chris Crocker voice for emphasis.

Who’s Jay Z?
Who’s chris crocker?

I just found the ol’ sexy photos of Diablo, known as Darling Girl in the heady blogging days of 2003. A few titles: “Hello Nasty,” “”Butt Smack,” and “Reclining nude on sofa.”

Tom Bartel, please call me with a big check — they’d go great with the Rob Nelson article!

Ya know, after reading this entire thread I see this as a shameless attempt to ride on the coattails of Diablo Cody, JBH and even Marsh. Give it a rest already. Your jealousy is palpable and “your fifteen minutes are up” !

Didn’t you hear? 15 minutes of fame is out the door.
Now you get 15 social networks.

Who are you addressing, Danielle? Thin air? The mirror?

Of course we’re all jealous of Diablo (except for the husband part)

welcome to the coattail riding club, then!

I’d rather ride on her beef curtains thank you very much.

Good day sir. Good day to you!

You know, I never jump into the fray (as everyone knows, I’m way too fragile to expose myself to these discussions) but I can’t resist this time.

This quote, from Perry, freaks me the fuck out:

“In 20 years-plus of watching musicians, writers, and artists break out of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Ive never seen so much resentment of anyone else. Not even close.”

Is that true? Seriously? If it is, I feel scared and oddly guilty, like I must have inadvertantly skull-fucked someone’s baby to have engendered such hatred. I’m not even being funny. It really does concern me.

I like to make myself feel better by assuming folks are “jellus”– and if they are, I can’t blame them, because my life is REDONK at that moment– but I don’t actually think that’s the case. I don’t know what it is. I’m not resented in my “real” hometown of Chicago, and I was arguably much more of a flaming douchebag when I lived there. In fact, they’re vaguely proud of me…imagine!

As for slagging on my annoying name, y’all worship at the altar of a dude who changed his name to a FUCKING SYMBOL. I’m the salt of the earth compared to Ol’ Fancy Pants. (I kid. I know he’s God.)

Being chubby as I am and having a normal face and a boring backstory (pre-stripping), you’d think Minnesotans would clutch me to their bosoms. Would you like me more if I was super hot? I’ll never know.

I just realized something.

Diablo Cody: Chasing Windmills; City Pages
Rob Nelson: City Pages
Steve Perry: City Pages
Jonny: Chasing Windmills; City Pages
Steve Marsh: Chasing Windmills; City Pages

What an incestuous plot! Thank goodness I myself have no connection to either Chasing Windmills or City Pages …

Re: Minnesotans and bosom clutching, I think you have the order reversed?

MNspeak is a tinderbox of love, hate, hormones and booze. I hope Steve Perry wasn’t getting taking the Diablo temperature in these parts, because it runs pretty hot.

I’ve always thought you were totally hilarious, and am jellus of your REDONK. (am i saying that right?)

C’mon, everybody thinks Prince was a weirdo for changing his name to a symbol, even the people who like his music. I myself think that people should use their real name whenever possible… oh, wait. Never mind.

My real name is not Ishmael, you see.

In fact, what the hell, I’ll just admit it. I am Sid Hartman, Strib columnist and longtime secret Diablo fetishist.

Hi, Sid. (winks)

I’m just gonna hijack this shit. I’m not writing nearly enough lately.

M i REDONK enuf 4 U

Good Lord, people. When do you sleep?

And “Don’t call me Ishmael” would have been a better punchline.

I’m jealous that Diablo and Johnny no longer have to suffer Minnesota Winters…assholes…I kid…congratulations, young lady, feel free to toss your chapeau in the air…and make sure a boob pops out when you do it.

Sparber, you’re a d-bag. I thought you liked me.

Bamboo Nation has a review of Juno:

“The movie, which just won the top prize at the Rome Film Festival, is very funny. But you already knew that. The cast is unbelievably excellentI don’t think there’s been an ensemble this uniformly terrific all year.”

Some of these petty jealousies, IMHO, reflect some Minnesotans’ belief that Minnesotans aren’t deserving of national success. That the only true talent is found on the coasts … or any other place that’s not “here.”

However, it was true in advertising years before Minnesota hit the map musically and theatrically: You don’ t have to live on the coasts (or Chicago) to be taken seriously. There is some awesome talent that incubates right here.

Be proud of it. Nuture it. Even if your own screenplay doesn’t yet have a second page.

This all seems really overblown…when people make it *big*, regardless of where they’re from (lets cut mn a little slack) you’re going to get some pushback and jellus-y. That’s the score…and maybe a little bit the price you have to pay. So I don’t think there’s any need for fear on Diablo’s part, introspection on Jonnys, or wrist-slitting on the part of minneapolitans.

Thank you for posting that, noodleman. I want everyone to see how far one totally talent-deprived person can go merely by being SAUCY and NAKED!

I mean, wow, I’ve sold five scripts and two pilots– to people like Spielberg and Donna Langley, no less– in an insanely competetive market, and my first film is kicking transcontinental ass. It truly is remarkable that I pulled all this off just by adopting an adorable schtick!

I’m the first to acknowledge that the stripper thing got my fat ass in the door, but you’d have to be fucking sub-retarded to think that stale 2003 bullshit is doing me any favors these days.

“This all seems really overblown…when people make it *big*, regardless of where they’re from (lets cut mn a little slack) you’re going to get some pushback and jellus-y.”

Yeah, I know. Standard-issue pushback doesn’t bother me. It’s the fact that Perry claims this backlash is unprecedented that has me going, “Really? I must be either more rancid or more awesome than I thought.”

I would so love to keep maniacally posting, but I have to go work out.(I have a trainer now, how gross is that?) Ironically, Rob Nelson’s praise of the movie got Fox Searchlight so excited that they posted his review on the JUNO homepage. The guy IS respected, and besides, he pulled a classic “Cody move” by admitting he was a dick right in the text. Props!

cody: I can’t speak for everyone else, but for me, my whole point was that I was annoyed in 2003 but have more or less decided that that was then, this is now, and I’m rooting for you out of general homer boosterism. On the other hand, I’m not really thrilled about being called a retarded Prince fan.

It’s genuinely cool that you’ve sold five scripts and two pilots. I don’t get the feeling that we’d be bestest pals in the real world, but I think we’ll both survive.

The only thing I know about Johnny is that he posted here awhile after LOVE 105 was on the air to say that it turned out to be be pretty awesome. and I agree.

“…you’d have to be fucking sub-retarded to think that stale 2003 bullshit is doing me any favors these days.”

I respectfully disagree. A good bit of the press about Diablo Cody herself discusses the blogger feel to the script, as well as the time spent working in Minneapolis strip stops and the memoir documenting the experience. I am not suggesting that Juno doesn’t have merit on it’s own – that would be idiotic beyond belief. Only pointing out that although the writing may have gone into a different direction, the 2003 BS is still very much part of the dynamic. And I’m sure Fox Searchlight is happily aware of this too.

Abysmal Chick weighs in.

Hi Diablo! My name is Christine and I’d love to meet you! I have this novel about this slutty girl in Minneapolis and while she doesn’t work in a strip club, she is slutty! You’d love it!!!

It’s been colleting dust since 2005.

Cheers!

I believe that’s what they call “damning with….well, damning”

Actually, Christine, Twin Cites writers have enjoyed some success with books about slutty girls.

Sometimes I feel like I am the only local fellow who remembers Theodore Pratt, but he was quite a big deal in his time. Five movies were made from his work, including the Don Knott’s vehicle The Incredible Mr. Limpet!

That’s amazing, Max! You know, Don Knott’s is one of my favs. RIP.

All these naysayers are serious losers. Go, Diablo!

“And I’m sure Fox Searchlight is happily aware of this too.”

Allow to be debunk: The Fox suits freak out every time I talk about stripping in an interview. In Toronto, Rome and London, Searchlight flacks would materialize the instant a journalist started asking me those questions. They’re trying to groom me for awards season, and I think the 2003 B.S. concerns them, frankly. But thanks for your theory.

I have a big-ass feature in Entertainment Weekly hitting newsstands today. They only photographed me from the shoulders up, so Rob Nelson should be pleased.

I talked to a producer today who really put things in perspective:

Me: They’re slagging on me in Minnesota again.

Producer: In Minnesota? Why?

Me: That’s where I’m from,

Producer: I thought you were from Maine.

Diablo, my two cents…

I don’t know you, haven’t read your book, don’t know anybody who knew you, etc.

I just wanted to say, who cares what anybody from Minneapolis (or anywhere else for that matter) thinks about you and yours? You have an awesome life, are getting accolades for your work left and right, have a husband who loves you and on and on. If people aren’t into you because they’re jel, don’t like your work, or whatever, I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. Plenty of people do like you and your work and the praise for Juno is evidence of that.

So I guess my point is…I never worry about what random people think of me and I hope that you don’t either.

Here’s my full QA. It wasn’t supposed to hit until December, but I have Tapes n Tapes backlash I have to instigate then. So here you go, you jackals:

The Diablo Cody QA

My editor is pissed that I didn’t ask D.C. why she decided to get breast implants. You still here?

[Clears throat, modulates into 'professional voice.']

I know that you’ve covered this ad nauseam in other forums, but one more time for the soccer moms (and while the Searchlight flaks aren’t listening in), why did you decide on the enhancements?

And here’s Marsh’s piece.

Let it be said that I really like and appreciate Marsh’s piece. I was a teensy bit emotional the day we spoke, so I may have overreacted slightly to the Jonny question. Yeah, I was raggin’. I was having what the Kotex people call a “heavy day.”

I wanna thank all the nice people for their support. Seriously.

And yeah, I shouldn’t be bugged, given the circumstances, but I am innately one of those “YOU, AND YOU, AND YOU– YOU’RE GONNA LOVE MEEEEEEEE!”-type people. Can’t deal with a single jab, God knows.

You can blame the writers’ strike for the fact that I’m babbling here. Gotta get it out somewhere.

Sorry Steve, I didn’t see your comment!

I’ve wanted big tits since I was like 6. I was just too poor/pragmatic to get them before. This year I realized I finally had the financial resources to justify buying $9000 saline time bombs. I love them, and I talk about them to journalists freely and frequently. It never makes the piece, for some reason.

I think the tits actually make me seem LESS ideally feminine because they’re big and sturdy and indelicate. I specifically asked my doc to give me the “Marvel Comics” treatment. I look like a fucking Amazon now. Jonny was flummoxed by the whole thing, God bless him.

You know that Marsh’s first question in every interview is whether or not someone is going to dump Jonny. When he goes out drinking at night, as soon as he walks into a bar, he calls out “So, who here is going to dump Jonny?”

It’s just his thing. We’ve all gotten used to it, but I can imagine it’s quite a shock the first time you hear it.

I didn’t realize the movie debuts on my 30th Birthday…sorry Diablo, but getting shitty drunk is going to have to trump going to the movie for me…I’m sure you’ll unnerstand…

Is that the real Diablo Cody?

When I sell my screenplay, I’m getting ass implants.

Follow up:

So more She-Hulk than Sue Storm?

This is the real me. I only have imposters on IMDB.

I’ll prove it: WOOOOOO! I’M SUCH A WILD AND FREE SEXUAL CREATURE! LOOK AT ME!

Well, either Ms. Cody has a good sense of humor about her, or she has a mean-spirited but surprisingly entertaining impostor.

Wow neat. Next to Fred Thompson, you’re the most famous Hollywood person I’ve ever talked to. I think your movie looks good. I only go to one movie a year so if I go to yours I’ll let you know and you can include that in the promos. Thanks!

I actually really want to do a She-Hulk movie. The comic is great these days, really subversive. I even met with Marvel last week.

Yeah, the boobs are like this big, solid shelf. And I scarred really badly, so they look emo when I’m naked.

Max – I think you should have Sailor Martin grafted to your neck
and implanted with a parrot brain.

(in addition to ass implants, naturally)

You met with fucking Marvel? Now I’m jealous of your career.

Yeah, like, duh, She Hulk is great these days. Seriously. But Dan Slott left the comic to do Spider Man. The legendary Peter David is now writing She Hulk. And Jennifer is destroying the Mall of America next month! I broke that story in the October issue. Maybe the highlight of my career.

Sad face.

Thank you kindly, Kevin.

Steve, the Marvel digs are surprisingly modest and Dunder Mifflin-esque. It didn’t help that there was a power outage that day, so I was just sitting in a dim conference room, drinking a warm Coke and staring at a life-sized Spidey statue.

I also tried to develop Gotham Girls for a studio, but they weren’t wild about my pitch. Maybe I should make the Gotham Girls neurotic single women who subscribe to MODERN BRIDE and love Dane Cook.

She-Hulk better not destroy the new Gerstlauer Eurofighter at MOA!

I’m up for it, Chuck, but Sailor Martin disapproves. He has been making the case for me to get breast implants, though.

The rake interview was cool.

Diablo, what advice do you have for someone who can even get a short story published n the same rag your interview appeared?

A total lie.

Jesus, Marsh. Weren’t you the one telling me to kick the nerds off MnSpeak?

Whatever, Max. It’s not everyday that She Hulk visits the Mall of America. I can’t believe none of you sexist bastards care She Hulk is going to destroy Underwater World in a fight with the Absorbing Man. Diablo Cody cares, evidently. Who you calling a nerd now, motherfucker?

“I think the 2003 B.S. concerns them, frankly. But thanks for your theory.”

You mean the heavyhitters at Searchlight did not anticipate how the 2003 BS could possibly play in some ways to the press? That is surprising, genuinely.

DC already did that to the Black Canary. Fucking bastards. I like my heroines pneumatic, not neurotic.

Pffft. Until the Mall decides its amusement park should have a Star Trek theme, I’m not going. And none of that new Trek crap. I’m a Kirk man.

But Simon Pegg is playing Scotty in the new flick! I am exploiting every connection I have to try to get Jonny on the Paramount lot when they start shooting. He’d have to bring three pairs of pants, believe me.

The best part about comic shopping in LA is you run into people like Patton Oswalt and Jason Mewes looking all sheepish and anonymous.

Simon Pegg is an excellent choice for Scotty.

When I lived in LA, I used to run into Wil Wheaton all the time, but it was during his petulant jerk period and so he and I didn’t get along. I also saw the cast of the original Trek get their names in cement at the Chinese theater, and DeForrest Kelly misspelled his name, which was just about the time I think they decided he was too old to continue being in the movies.

Let me just go on the record as saying I don’t have any white nerd guilt when I go into my local. I am not a Judd Apatow character. I’m more gangsta about my graphic entertainment. More Ghostface Killah than Patton Oswalt. I’m a super hetero that appreciates low culture, you feel me? Like Snoop (a noted Hulk aficionado) says, “Green is my favorite color because it’s the color of money and the color of chronic.”

Do they still have that Prairie Home Companion store at MOA? If She-Hulk smashes the crap out of that, I’ll start buying the book again. If Keillor’s in it while she smashes, I’ll buy 2.

Aww, poor De! (I know, I’m a nerd for calling DeForrest Kelly “De.”)

Wheaton seems kind of cool now. I can see why he got defensive back in the day. Talk about having to endure fan criticism. From now on, I am going to refer to myself as “the Wesley Crusher of Minneapolis writers.”

Wheaton had a roommate who looked a lot like him, but was very genial and a lot of fun. We used to joke that it was the product of a transporter accident that had split Wil Wheaton into a nice half and a surly half.

Nowadays, I’m not sure I wouldn’t prefer surly Wheaton, though.

I agree that it is surprising, and it continues to surprise me. I think it would be much easier for them to pimp a golden boy like Wes Anderson this year, but he’s dealing with an (undeserved, IMO) backlash of his own.

The easiest women to “market” are people like Tina Fey, who are genuinely brilliant but have the self-effacing, sweetly geeky thing down pat. It’s much harder to make people like a loud ex-stripper with big thighs, so they encourage me to play up the fairy-tale aspect of my story.

“So they encourage me to play up the fairy-tale aspect of my story.”
Now that’s the Hollywood we all know and love. I appreciate your response to my anon remarks, and continued success to you from Maine, Diablo.

There’s got to be a let them hate, so long as they fear school of publicity out there somewhere.

Marsh, maybe you and me should start one.

This may have just become the most bizzarro thread of all time. Diablo, Marsh and Max discussing comic books, Star Trek and MOA? Awesome.

You have no idea how nice it is to be discussing something other than teenage pregnancy. First time in days.

I mostly miss the candy store at MOA. And the cute ramp where you can park in “Virginia” and there’s, like, a little ham graphic on the pillar to help you remember.

I’m sure Alexis would have jumped in by now, but she’s a Next Generation fan.

You know that Marsh’s first question in every interview is whether or not someone is going to dump Jonny. When he goes out drinking at night, as soon as he walks into a bar, he calls out “So, who here is going to dump Jonny?”
Comment of the week.

I’m a Hawaii Pineapple man.

I don’t think we’ve ever discussed teen pregnancy on MnSpeak. But I’ll just come out and say it: I don’t think teenagers should be having sex at all. Unless they’re hot.

I’ve been telling every interviewer that I think teens should fuck like rabbits while their bodies are still tight. The Italians were displeased. But come on– abstinence is like watching fruit rot!

And on that note, I’m back to work too.

Max: They should also be at least 18. And interns.

Back to work.

Steve Marsh: You are a genius. This is a fantastic question (and a good answer too):
You were an average-looking stripper, and now youre an above average screenwriter, but you had a shot at being a truly hot alternative weekly writer.
Oh, come on, theres some stiff competition. Really, Im not concerned about aging. Because you know, thats the one freeing thingas a writer, you can hit the craft service table all you want. And nobody expects you to be hot.

I used to be a Friend of the Federation.

“They’re trying to groom me for awards season…”

Good lord. And you think people hate you because they’re from Minnesota.

Why I like Diablo Cody, even though I’m somewhat jealous of her success but i can’t help that because I’m human. And a bitch.
1. She lived in Robbinsdale-which is where I live.
2. She married a musician-I married a musician.
3. Is beautiful because she is-at least it seems-being herself at all times.
4. A female writer succeeding in a world where many women don’t.

Her success isn’t taking anything away from me. If fact, it’s added some enjoyable hours to my life reading and watching her work. And it’s pretty sweet to know that a “famous” person out there has probably driven by The Terrace theater as many times as I have.

Word.

God I miss interns.

this is me not caring

just saying

I love what passes for celebrity around Minnesota…. I mean, I know we really don’t have any celebrities here, so what’s the point in latching onto b/c/d listers and gossiping about them? Is there some inherent need to gossip in some humans that I just completely missed the boat on?

I will not have you refer to Wil Wheaton as a c-list celebrity!

Good lord. And you think people hate you because they’re from Minnesota.

It isn’t an opinion, its a point of fact. Have you read any of the trades recently?

(and by that I mean that she’s being groomed for awards season. That’s what they do.)

I think the point Mr. Whatver was making was that ochams razor thing about the simplest explanation being the most likely one… people dislike her because she’s narcissistic and vain, not because they’re from minnesota or jealous or sexist or anything else. Ochams razor and all that.

Did you people read Marsh’s Q&A? ‘Cause DC comes off as totally down-to-earth and charming.

I’m sure Alexis would have jumped in by now, but she’s a Next Generation fan.

Are you baiting me, Sparber?! I happen to know Diablo and I share a mutual love for TNG. I’ve seen her wedding photos.

I was baiting you. And successfully!

You know, I’ve got nothing against The Next Generation. Some great scripts, and Patrick Stewart is a terrific actor.

But, c’mon. Kirk. Seriously.

Two words, one great man: Brannon Braga.

Both Threshold and ST: Enterprise were underwatched, courtesy of horrifically poor marketing by the networks, and consequently underrated. The two unrelated shows were the best sci-fi to come out of television since, well, TNG.

Sure, sure. But no single episode of any of the later shows has matched “The City on the Edge of Forever.” Harlan Ellison as script writer? Get out of town. And Robert Bloch scripting “Wolf in the Fold”? “Shore Leave” was written by Theodore Sturgeon, for Pete’s sake!

For its first two seasons, the original Star Trek was not only the best science fiction show on television for its time, scripted by authors who were the defining writers in the genre, it was the best sci fi ever put on television, period.

The third season was mostly a wash. And, to its credit, TNG was able to maintain a certain level of quality throughout its run. But, my God, the original series created sophisticated, adult science fiction for television.

Of course, a lot of nerds came along later and made it sort of embarrassing to like Star Trek (present company excluded, of course). But, at its time, it was a damn hip show.

Let’s not forget “Spock’s Brain,” scripted by a young Dick Chaney.

My fave ’sode of all time is “The Naked Time” because we get to see a shirtless Sulu brandishing a fencing foil, and Nurse Chapel (Gene R.’s real-life wife) tap some sweet Spocky ass.

George Takei was pretty ripped in his younger days, eh, Bx?

Nice to see both he and Nichelle Nichols show up in guest roles on Heroes. Haven’t seen her for awhile, George was in the new recently when he came out — I think there is a MNspeak post about those two still trapped between worlds — (shades of the Tholian Web episode) submitted, but never posted (like my 7QQ with Guster’s Adam Gardner) on MNspeak.

Ah, The Tholian Web, another great one.

I went to a Trek convention many years ago and got hit on by Walter Koenig’s son. Yuk.

I also love “Amok Time,” where Spock goes into his Vulcan mating cycle.

moarfunny pictures

For its first two seasons, the original Star Trek was not only the best science fiction show on television for its time…

You mean it lasted longer than two seasons?

(Oh shush, I know it lasted for three.)

Don’t get me wrong, Gene Roddenberry is my Goddamn hero for creating the absolute best thing to ever happen to television, ever. But for my money, I’d rather watch any of the new series over the original (especially Enterprise- holyshit that show’s incredible).

Also, I think The Twilight Zone (which aired before Star Trek: 1959-1964) is a much more fascinating old school sci-fi show. The mind of Rod Serling, whoa!

But that’s probably why I like Braga’s work so much, because it deals directly with the fear people have regarding space, aliens and time travel, even in modern day. TNG Episodes like “Power Play” (kind of cheesy, but still great) “Cause and Effect,” “Genesis” (one of my personal favorites and one of the funniest episodes) and of course, “All Good Things.” His later work in Enterprise and then the non-ST series Threshold is all very Twilight Zone-y.

Hmm. I have about 1/3 of The Twilight Zone series on DVD. I think I’ll watch some tonight.

Wait, what were we talking about? Oh, right, Diablo Cody! Love ya girl, think you’re a great writer, totally crashing your pad next time I come to L.A. We can go party with Brannon Braga, if you want.

I think I’m enjoying this thread more where it wound up than where it started.

.

Oh, and I’d argue that Twilight Zone, as well as The Outer Limits, borrows more from supernatural and fantastic literature than science fiction, although they are related genres.

We also appreciated the first Star Trek, TNG for Patrick Stewart, the other Treks were ok.
What replaced our hunger for Sci Fi was the first 2 seasons of Babylon5, they left us wanting more, like a good book we didn’t want to put down.
But that went downhill later on.

Some people are waaaay too knowledgable about the boob tube.

I’d watch my Firefly DVD box set a few hundred times over any Trek, any day of the week.

Sorry, Ghost of Gene Roddenberry. Joss Whedon’s all over your shit.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the LOLSpockcat!

Another MNspeak first.

In spite of many cheesy elements, I do enjoy the Firefly quite a bit.

If it doesn’t have Spock, it ain’t Star Trek,

Good thing TNG had him guest star, then!

Hey max, you do realize that Harlan Ellison ditched the ST franchise for babylon 5.

Just once can we start a Diablo Cody thread that focuses on her WORK, and not science fiction TV shows?

Yeah, cuz that would be fun. Pfft.

Twilight Zone; hands down. Next Generation; second place. Buck Rogers; keep applying.

I just have to say, I absolutely love ST:TNG.

Best show evarrr!

I think people don’t like Diablo, if they don’t like her, because she’s being shoved down throats before people have even seen her work. I don’t quite get why Hollywood is so desperate that they hand off so many projects to one person before they’ve had a bona fide hit, though there’s so much bad writing out there, I kinda understand it. Plus, you see new actors and actresses getting five projects lined up before one movie has even been released, so I guess it’s not too odd. Time will tell how good her stuff is (and granted, it’s not always the writer, but the talents of the director that made something pan out off the page). Plus, she’s being sold as a personality. How many screenwriters is that true of? Not many. She does have a kind of schtick, as do Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, and to a lesser degree, Charlie Kaufman. Will the public love any of her movies, TV shows, or her face and witticisms on TV talk shows? We are about to find out.

Wow, Diane A., why don’t you have a couple, 13, 14 more glasses of wine before you post next time?

Nice sentence structures!

Jesus. Not a single part of that made sense.

saw the Juno trailer last night…no mention of Diablo Cody, but the movie looks cute. Just hope it wasn’t 100% revealed in the trailer.

Just for the record, Diablo Cody on IMDB

What the hell are YOU talking about Bx? I understood Diane’s post. Hooked on Phonics worked for me.

Okay, my grammar sucks. I do think my sentence structure needs work. But, really, don’t you get the gist of it? I think folks have insta-celebrity fatigue. I’d never heard of Diablo Cody. Now, I see her face and name plastered in many places. I even looked up her Letterman video on YouTube to see what the fuss was about. Yes, she does have “schtick.” I think people who have that kind of self-confidence will attract success, whether they have real talent or not. It may well be Diablo has real talent. I just haven’t seen “Juno” yet, or any of the other movies and TV projects she has lined up. But I understand why people might resent and/or envy her. There are a lot of talented people that don’t have that kind of personality to get them into a situation where they’re noticed. Diablo does, and that happens to be especially rare in women.

Dis true.

I know lots of talented writers who drive cabs in North Omaha. They prefer the darkness of their cabs to the limelight for sure.

Man, I’m so upset to have missed this thread in real time. I’m so glad Diablo jumped in.

I don’t understand the following sequence:

Criticism: “Diablo Cody is a narcissistic and superficial writer who, like Tarantino, succeeds largely by virtue of completely subordinating herself to the zeitgeist. Her voice is largely an echo, a self built on an overwhelming desire to please.”

Answer: “But she’s incredibly successful in Hollywood!”

Er, no shit? That’s the point.

Of course, let’s be honest. All of those criticisms (vain, submissive, desperate to please), while perhaps valid, are also the reason that everyone’s secretly convinced that Diablo Cody is likely the Lay of the Century. If Hollywood ever needed a cheerleader, she’s it, shiny new pompoms and all.

For the 200th comment… it’s so fucking hard not to troll this shit.

I just deleted all the stuff I was going to post and I’m replacing it with this:

WHO FUCKING CARES? WHY DO YOU EVEN CARE ABOUT SOME CHICAGO WOMAN MAKING A FILM IN L.A. AND THE VARIED REVIEWS ABOUT IT AND HER LIFE? WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH US?

Yeah, nothing. So shut the fuck up.

Love seeing raw envy.

So human.

Errr…is that question still offensive in retrospect…or is it spot on cynical genius?

Give this man some serious props for being right. Prophetic. A Cassandra, if you will.